Pocket Wizard Question

[OviV]

Does the Pocket Wizard support ETTL? If not, is there a wireless radio flash trigger that does?

Ovi

[scottbergerphoto]

No. Pocket Wizard is an on/off deal. Canon's proprietary ETTL/ETTLII uses a series of light pulses. If you go Pocket Wizard, you are using manual flash. I believe your only options are to use an STE2 or a 550 or 580EX as Master to use ETTL/ETTLII.
Scott

[robertwgross]

To put it another way, the Pocket Wizard carries across sync only.

If you really must do wireless ETTL, then you must use the Canon wireless system of masters and slaves.

---Bob Gross---

[dennykyser]

Robert and Scott answered your questions but I want to add dont be afraid of Manual Settings. A light meter is a wise investment and gives you much more control. I have become a better photographer by giving up ETTL IMO.

Not saying there are times having a total automatic set up is nice but I use Manual almost all the time now, with better more reliable results.

[OviV]

Sometimes when shooting events it is difficult to find the time to do meter readings. This is where ETTL comes in handy. It allows me to take the shot and be pretty close most of the time. I would love to have a remote flash for fill in a lot of times while keeping ETTL. I am under the impression that the Canon Wireless system requires that the remote flash be "visible" to the master flash since it is Infrared. Is this true?

Ovi

[robertwgross]

Yes, trying to use an external meter and then set up a shot, then get another pose, then repeat the whole process ... that can get frustrating during a wedding. In general, when I shoot a wedding, I will check my histogram each time we move to a new location, and otherwise I just let the flash do its thing without fooling around. The film shooter generally does one external meter reading at each location, just to make sure he has it right, but there isn't that much fluctuation between different poses or different groupings. The external meter can help you figure out the ambient light balance against the flash.

Yes, in the Canon wireless flash system, all slave units must be able to see the data light burst from the master unit. With all of these slave units, one half will swivel around so that its data light sensor can look at the master with the main flash head pointed at the subject. That is the sort of thing that you need to play with for the first day you have this stuff. Then there are range restrictions depending on which master unit it is and whether it is indoors or outdoors. In some cases, the master data light can bounce off the subject or wall and still get to the slave unit sensor.

---Bob Gross---

[OviV]

Thanks Bob. I'll have to do some experimenting.

[robertwgross]

It's not the sort of experimenting that you would need that big Sigma lens for!

---Bob Gross---

[OviV]

No that one is for capturing images like the one in my Avatar. I'm going to try putting my Sigma 500 DG Super flashes at different angles to each other to try getting them to fire. I will do this test outside so I know no bouncing is happening and this should tell me what angles I will be able to use.

Ovi